Renewed Appeal Offers Reward In 1975 Murder Investigation

Police have renewed an appeal for information on the murders of Eve Stratford and Lynne Weedon in 1975.

A reward of £40,000 is now being offered for information leading to a conviction in the murders, which were linked by police in 2006.

Eve Stratford was found murders at her flat in Lyndhurst Drive, Leyton on 18 March, 1975. The 21-year-olds neck had been cut twelve times. There was no sign of forced entry to the flat and no weapon was ever recovered.

Lynne Weedon, was 16 when she was raped and murdered in September, 1975. Detectives believe that Ms Weedon, who had been on her way home after an evening out with friends, was followed on foot from Great West Road (the A4) into an alleyway called The Short Hedges where she was hit with a blunt instrument and thrown over a fence into the grounds of an electricity sub-station. She was then raped before the suspect left the scene.

Lynne was discovered by a local school caretaker whose house overlooked the sub-station. Despite the horrific nature of her injuries, she was still alive when police and ambulance arrived at the scene.

However, she never regained consciousness and died at West Middlesex Hospital a week later on 10 September 1975. The cause of death was a single blow to the head - her skull had been smashed with a heavy blunt instrument, which was never recovered.

In 2006, new DNA testing revealed a link between the two cases.

It is likely the suspect for both murders is now in his 60s or 70s.

Detectives are keeping an open mind but have previously said it is possible the killer knew his victims, particularly Eve who had a huge circle of friends and acquaintances.

It is also thought the murderer had a knowledge of the Hounslow area - the alleyway and sub-station are away from busy areas and would have meant Lynne's screams or struggles would most likely have gone unheard.

It appears the motive was sexual - Lynne had been raped, and it is likely Eve had also been raped although officers have not been able to rule out consensual sex.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(MH/CD)